Avengers: Infinity War defeated by Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick

The quality of Top Gun: Maverick surprised everyone this year. Now only was it an excellent film but it was also superior to its mediocre original. However, it’s not just critical success gleamimg Top Gun: Maverick, as the movie has now surpassed Avengers: Infinity War as the sixth highest-grossing film worldwide.

Considering how the success of Top Gun: Maverick wasn’t guaranteed, even with Tom Cruise returning, seeing it do this well is a shock to the system. While this does prove that nostalgia still sells, the fact that it’s not a Disney, Marvel, or superhero property should be refreshing to many.

Top Gun: Maverick soars over Avengers: Infinity War

A report from Variety confirmed this major milestone for Top Gun: Maverick, with the high-flying sequel making $683 million in North America. In comparison, Avengers: Infinity War was able to make $678 million, moving the MCU entry to seventh place as Maverick continues to soar.

We doubt that the movie is going to topple Avatar, which regained its place on top after getting re-released in China. However, the fact that Top Gun: Maverick has done this well without being attached to a well-known property is quite the miracle.

Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations said that Top Gun: Maverick could stay in theaters a bit longer, despite a home release coming soon. Apparently, there isn’t much competition until November when Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits and that’s still months away.

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How did Top Gun: Maverick do so well?

Thanks to repeat customers and word-of-mouth, Top Gun: Maverick has blown away everyone’s expectations and can keep doing that for a few more weeks. Admittedly, the movie’s home release could derail some of its momentum but there are fans adamant that it must be seen in a theater.

If the movie does stay in theaters for a few weeks longer, there’s a good chance that Maverick could make more money. Whether it can take the fifth place throne from Star Wars: The Force Awakens is unknown since that movie had a ton of anticipation.

Can Top Gun: Maverick overcome the mighty Star Wars after beating Avengers: Infinity War? We’ll see. In the meantime, fans who want to watch the movie at home can wait for the digital release on Aug. 23.